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mcmc
Loyal user
250 Posts
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Posted: Mar 24, 2008 6:24pm
Hello gang,
I wanted to give you all a heads up on a custom wand maker who crafts some VERY beautiful, well balanced, and precise wands. He's actually a friend of mine, with a lot of machining and lathing experience, who I have had make me some other custom wood+metal products. On a whim, I asked him if he'd undertake to make me some wands - and when he did, they simply blew me away.
He's made me:
- 13" African blackwood + white delrin tips
- 13" Cocobolo + brass tips with accent ring
- 13" African blackwood + polished aluminum tips (currently making)
I've tried several magic wands over the years - the breakaway wand (groan), a large black and silver plastic affair, then Magic Makers wands (not bad, but too heavily weighted on ends, wood is coated and will chip readily, also the wood is cheap and after not much use one of mine is already splitting along the grain), and even some custom wands. The latter was my favorite for a while - it was cherry wood with brass cap tips. However, even with these, the lathing work wasn't super great, in that the wand was a bit oblong, not quite straight, etc. I thought that this was the upper limit of working with wood this thin.
However, these wands are perfectly round, and are seamless where the wood meets the tips. The workmanship is truly amazing.
He's currently making me several more (for gifts and spares), and would be willing to work with other exotic hardwoods (minus ebony, which he found to be too soft) and different sizes. I've found the 13" long and .4" thick config to be best for my hands.
These wands are so beautiful it's really amazing. The cocobolo+brass one especially, when I hold it in my hand, it feels like it just oozes magic =) He hollows out the brass tips (but has a method of keeping it still solid and sturdy) so that it is not too heavily weighted, and I find the balance great for wand spins (Mora, etc.).
I have one pic I can attach here, and I plan to take more and upload them to an external site for people to look at.
By the way, I am not making commission on these or anything =) But wanted to share these wands with my magical brethren. Pricing is $35 for the blackwood + delrin tips, and $50 for the cocobolo + brass tips (w/ accent ring); plus $5 shipping. Phil is a great guy to work with and a true gentleman. So, if you are interested, pm me and I will send you his email address (he's very prompt with replies).
Take care, gang!
By the way, folks, Phil asked me to pass on that, as these wands are completely custom made from beginning to end, they may take 10-14 days to complete from time of order =)
Click here to view attached image.
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Mithrandir
Regular user
Long Island N.Y.
110 Posts
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Posted: Mar 25, 2008 7:30pm
Phil's wands look great. I've also seen some REALY nice wands made by High Caliber Magic. If anyone is interested, check them out too. I did not see a price on HCM's wands though
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will327
New user
5 Posts
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Posted: Mar 26, 2008 9:19am
I would like to thank everyone who has expressed an interest in these wands. The wands I made for MCMC are truly unique, not like any others available. Once again, thank you.
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mcmc
Loyal user
250 Posts
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Posted: Apr 11, 2008 12:58pm
Hi gang,
Just letting you know that after some further testing, Phil's implemented an additional strength feature to the blackwood/delrin wands - so for those of you who ordered that type, you'll be getting the new 'upgrade' =)
Anyone else who's interested, please pm me!
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Magiguy
Inner circle
Seattle, WA
4555 Posts
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Posted: Apr 14, 2008 7:52pm
I just received the wand I ordered and it is absolutely beautiful! Additionally, the level of communication and service I received throughout the process was exceptional. I will definitely do business here again, and I highly recommend Phil's craftsmanship.
Magic of Japan
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Necromancer
Inner circle
Chicago
2551 Posts
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Posted: Apr 15, 2008 10:26pm
These are lovely wands, Phil!
For those who are seeking more of a Potter-esque baton-style wand, I would also recommend the work of Brian Humphrey at FortressWands.com -- he's crafted the prize wands for the Chicago Magic Competition for the last several years running.
Best,
Neil
APPEARING WEEKLY IN SUPERNATURAL CHICAGO.
See our promo video and TV montage now!
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andrelimantara
Special user
Surabaya, Indonesia
862 Posts
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Posted: Apr 17, 2008 7:45am
Those are beautiful
"Good performance comes from good practice, Great performance comes from the heart - Andre Limantara"
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mcmc
Loyal user
250 Posts
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Posted: Apr 17, 2008 3:36pm
Neil: cool wands! =)
Nice to see you again. Hope things are going well back in Chicago? Are you still at the Excalibur?
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Necromancer
Inner circle
Chicago
2551 Posts
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Posted: Apr 17, 2008 6:09pm
Howdy! It's good to be back (I've been busy managing SAMtalking.com for the S.A.M. among lots of other projects). Things are great here, and yes, my Supernatural Chicago show at Excalibur is (incredibly) in its fifth straight year of performances. If you want to see an amazing amount of press coverage regarding same, drop by my Wikipedia listing.
Best,
Neil
P.S. I own two wands from http://FortressWands.com -- including a wand in the Himeji style (you'll have to visit the shop to see what I mean) in cocobola wood with sterling silver bands above and below the hilt (that's a custom touch Brian's happy to add for just a little bit more; just ask him).
APPEARING WEEKLY IN SUPERNATURAL CHICAGO.
See our promo video and TV montage now!
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mcmc
Loyal user
250 Posts
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Posted: Apr 17, 2008 8:17pm
That Himeji wand looks nice. I think for someone with a crafted image and storyline like your show, those 'real' magic style wands are very nicely suited =) For me, as a 'regulary' coattails (er, rather, suit and tie) magician, I find the classic straight wand better suited.
I will definitely be checking our your Wikipedia entry - nice!
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will327
New user
5 Posts
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Posted: Apr 20, 2008 9:08am
I have sent out all the wands at this time. These are all custom made and I can do variations to the styles. I also welcome suggestions. My hope is to provide a wand that you will be proud to use.
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VBall
Regular user
Toronto
153 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2008 9:53pm
I don't usually post positive reviews/feedback on products but I have to say, Phil's wands are absolutely beautiful and very reasonably priced. I have wands that are more expensive and they are not nearly as beautifully crafted. I highly recommend anyone that's looking to purchase a wand to look into these.
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jholland
New user
8 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2008 10:39pm
I second VBall's post. Good price. Great service. And most importantly, beautiful wands.
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will327
New user
5 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2008 11:55pm
Thanks for the kind words.
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mcmc
Loyal user
250 Posts
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Posted: May 29, 2008 2:39am
Nice, guys =) I knew you would like them! Phil's work is amazing.
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JTKMagic
New user
2 Posts
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Posted: Jun 3, 2008 6:26pm
I use a Telic Stage wand, which I love, but those look great!
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Mad Jake
Inner circle
All the voices in my head helped me make
1460 Posts
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Posted: Jun 3, 2008 7:14pm
The wands do indeed look nice, however here we go again though.
In 2003 RNT II designed and implemented the first delrin set of wand tips and wand. At very least we would appreciate credit from Phil for using our idea. RNT II was also the first, then came Auke to make Delrin cups. Delrin products have been an earmark for our company since the beginning.
The reason they are having to make a deluxe version of wand is that Delrin will not bond with other materials other than itself. That is a specific property of Delrin and the chemical epoxy needed is proprietary to Delrin. To make the tips mount correctly a threaded "Tit" must be turned on the tip and the shaft needs to be threaded. However there is a still a problem with the thinner wands that use this method as the wood will crack over time. We've spent the last 5 years refining the wand process.
It does not take much to crack any ebony famaily of woods due to the desinty of ebony, it cracks like glass. If Phil wants some hints and tricks to make these work with wood, please feel free to email me, I'll be happy to share. But at the same time RNT II would appreciate the recognition that these were originally designed and marketed by us.
Sincerely,
Jake
"We've amused ourselves to death" Roger Waters
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will327
New user
5 Posts
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Posted: Jun 4, 2008 12:43pm
Jake
I was not aware that RNT II introduced the delrin tip in 2003. MCMC and I had discussions as to types of materials to use. Delrin is a fairly common plastic, not too hard and not too soft and seemed to be a good compromise for a tip. I do not use ebony, I tried and the result was not was I had hoped for. I tried different methods of attaching the tips to the shafts, first with a post on the shaft, then with a post on the delrin, neither worked and separated quickly. The method I use has a long sheet metal screw attaching the tip and the shaft. I have modified the screw in several ways to give it holding power in the delrin and holding strength in the wood without causing undo stress.
I can break them by using vise grips and pliers to attempt to unscrew them. I can also break them by using them as a pry bar. Under normal use they are fine.
These wands are not designed to be taken apart, they are finished in such a way that the the different materials have no seams and the wand is completely smooth.
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Jsmith45
Regular user
124 Posts
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Posted: Jun 4, 2008 2:32pm
Beautiful.
Kudos to the originators and makers.
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Mad Jake
Inner circle
All the voices in my head helped me make
1460 Posts
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Posted: Jun 9, 2008 8:11pm
Not complaining at all about the delrin tip wands, but just wanted people to know RNT II had developed these back in 2003 and were test marketing them with a few magicians before the final release. Believe me no harm no foul or hard feelings, I just want to see the company remembered for the innovations offered over the years.
Phil's wands are gorgeous. If you could, pass a message onto him that RNT II needs about 3 dozen wands for an upcoming project  Tabman made some wands for us years back but I'm not sure if he's back up and running yet and if Phil would be interested we'd be happy to advertise a banner for him at no cost on the front page of our site. We like promoting new talent that is an asset to the magic community.
Best,
Jake
Now Tap Dem dar cups!
"We've amused ourselves to death" Roger Waters
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will327
New user
5 Posts
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Posted: Jun 10, 2008 1:15pm
Jake
I have my set up in New York, I am currently in Florida renovating a kitchen in a condo here. I do not have a firm return date yet. This would probably be better handled with PMs rather than posts here.
Thanks for the complement on my wands...
Will
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raywitko
Special user
western Pa
527 Posts
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Posted: Jun 11, 2008 4:33pm
Quote:
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On 2008-06-09 20:11, Mad Jake wrote:
..... Tabman made some wands for us years back but I'm not sure if he's back up and running yet ....
Best,
Jake
Now Tap Dem dar cups!
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Jake, we've owned the Tabman line for a couple of years now. If you need some wands we'd be happy to help out.
Ray
Sometimes it seems there are more than one of me.
Tabman USA
magicdmv
email me at fursclass@magicdmv.com
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mcmc
Loyal user
250 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2008 11:38am
Hi Jake, pm sent by myself as well as Phil...thanks.
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Necromancer
Inner circle
Chicago
2551 Posts
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Posted: Jun 19, 2008 6:38pm
For those of you interested in the Potter-style wands made by my friend, Brian Humphrey at Fortress Wand Works -- he has quietly lowered the prices of many of his wands as a market test.
His craftsmanship is beautiful, every wand he makes is custom crafted for the orderer, and his selection of wood is outstanding. If you've ever wanted a wand of this type, I'd suggest placing your order right away, before he changes his mind on the prices: http://FortressWands.com
Best,
Neil
APPEARING WEEKLY IN SUPERNATURAL CHICAGO.
See our promo video and TV montage now!
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Necromancer
Inner circle
Chicago
2551 Posts
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Posted: Jul 31, 2008 1:01pm
Good news: Fortress Wand Works has kept many of its prices low.
Even better news (times three):
* Six more styles have just been added.
* There are now nineteen domestic and exotic woods to choose from.
* And any wand of your choice can be customized with sterling silver bands!
Go there now and tell Brian I sent you.
Best,
Neil
APPEARING WEEKLY IN SUPERNATURAL CHICAGO.
See our promo video and TV montage now!
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mcmc
Loyal user
250 Posts
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Posted: Jan 31, 2012 11:33am
Just wondering how people who have used Phil's wands here, have liked them over the years. Would be neat to even see current pics, to see how they've held up!
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